New woes over crumbling state buildings and prison guards bringing home just $1,500 a month are now running into tax cut fever among GOP senators, who have already earmarked $4.6 billion in tax relief in the first legislative session under new Republican Gov. Greg Abbott.

Before the Legislature commits to what are poised to be the biggest tax cuts in Texas in a decade, some lawmakers want other spending nailed down first.

"My concern from the beginning has been the order we're doing this. I can't support tax cuts until I know the numbers," said Republican state Sen. Ken Eltife, a member of the powerful Senate Finance Committee. "I can't vote for a tax cut without knowing how we're going to fix everything else.

A look at where tax cut proposals stand:

HOW HIGH WILL THE NUMBER GET?

Abbott has vowed not sign a budget without what he calls significant tax cuts, though he has declined to set a minimum dollar figure. His own budget calls for $2.2 billion in property tax relief for homeowners and $2 billion in tax cuts for businesses. Proposals currently in the Senate would save the average homeowner $240 on their tax bill.

Senate Finance Chairwoman Jane Nelson said Monday that she expects the final number to be closer to $5 billion in total tax cuts by the time the session ends in May.

WHO'S PUSHING THE CUTS?

Major tax cuts have broad Republican support in both the House and Senate. Even many Democrats are behind curbing rising property taxes across fast-growing Texas and raising the cap on homestead exemptions for the first time since 1997.

The Senate Finance Committee is spending the entire week taking up tax cut bills, and some members are already warning colleagues not to get skittish about settling on a big final number.

"Elections have consequences. This was campaigned on to a great degree all across the state," Republican state Sen. Paul Bettencourt said Monday.

WHAT'S IN THE WAY?

Health care for more than a quarter-million retired teachers in Texas faces an estimated $768 million shortfall, which the top House budget writer says his chamber intends to address. There are also big tabs for roads, pensions for state employees, border security and repairs to state facilities. Nelson said there is enough money to address the priorities and tax cuts, even as oil prices have tumbled and the state comptroller has taken a cautious tone about future revenues.

"We are really blessed to have an economy that is cooking. We can do both," Nelson said.

WHAT'S NEXT?

Public testimony on the first slate of Senate bills begins Wednesday. Among those expected to voice opposition are city leaders from Houston, Austin, Dallas and some of the other biggest cities in Texas, which contend that the proposed cuts could hit local budgets hard.